'Decisions' also include Riley, Arison

No, they don't know what's going to happen when they have the right to become free agents in the offseason, or at least aren't saying.

But this is about more than the power of the Big Three. It is, in many ways, a five-man weave, one that will reach resolution only when two silent partners make their plays.

Pat Riley's sack of rings and proposal of possibilities set the July 2010 Big Three haul into motion. Micky Arison's cartload of cash sealed the deal. As much as James, Wade and Bosh, they made the moment that now must be repeated.

For his part, Riley remained in the shadows during training camp in the Bahamas, seen but not heard, save for schmoozing a prime minister. Arison has been overseas.

There is, after all, plenty of time left to assuage, sway and cajole away from the cameras and microphones, private moments that could re-seed the franchise's future or leave it barren.

For his part, Riley never quite achieved his cannibalization of the free-agent market, although there is something to be said about the possibilities of Greg Oden, Michael Beasley and even Roger Mason Jr.

For his part, Arison set the boundaries, Mike Miller simply too much of a salary extravagance in these luxury-tax times, with word now about only carrying the NBA minimum of 13 players during the regular season to save an extras $6 million.

What's next -- more than James, Wade and Bosh dodging relocation questions -- is what matters.

Because Riley and Arison matter as much as anything spoken by the Heat's stars.

Riley turns 69 in March, would be 70 by the time a re-signed Big Three play out another season.

"He ain't going nowhere," Wade said in a private moment, as if attempting to convince himself there could not be a Heat future without Riley. "That's not even a concern of ours. We understand he loves what he does and he loves this team. He's not going anywhere. We're not worried about that."

But these are not the same rules Riley worked with in 2010, when the current luxury tax was an abstract, when Arison's expenses did not come with an exponential multiplier.

And that's why how Riley and Arison act will impact how James, Wade and Bosh react.

In another private moment, Wade acknowledged hearing the muted talk of how he, James and Bosh would need to compromise in their next Heat contracts for there to be another round of Big Three possibilities starting in 2014-15.

"You're concerned," Wade said of money weighing into the equation as much as championship possibilities. "That's obviously an important part of the puzzle. So, that's something that we leave to our agents, we leave to the Miami Heat front office to see what they can present us, how creative they can be. We understand it's not as easy as it was in 2010 when we signed."

For now, the Heat merely can set the table, Erik Spoelstra's contract extended last weekend, Andy Elisburg promoted to general manager, video coordinator Dan Craig, a Big Three favorite, promoted to assistant coach.

The moves are meaningful, but not nearly as meaningful as the pitches that will come at season's end from Riley and Arison.

"When you have guys that want to be a part of something, that want to be together, you can get away with a few things that you might not be able to get away with when guys are just looking for their big deal," Wade said. "We'll see. We'll see what they come up with, and hopefully it's something that we all can be happy with, if that's the decision we make."

This is a special time as the Heat begin their second quarter century. It also is a rare season, one that could produce a pair of happy endings: A third consecutive title, and another round of Big Three.

IN THE LANE

HEAT (LITE) TRYOUTS: The Heat will hold tryouts for their NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Skyforce, next Saturday, with Heat staff on hand to scout the auditions in advance of Skyforce camp in November. The tryout will be held Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dade Christian School, 6601 NW 167 Street, Miami, with registration at 8 a.m. The application deadline is Wednesday, with no walkup applications accepted. Applicants must be eligible to play in the D-League and pay a $150 fee. Details are at Heat.com.